"The Fault in Our Stars" stays true to novel

Jun. 10, 2014

Photo from Facebook

Written by

Dylan Aycock

Staff Writer

“The Fault in Our Stars,” directed by Josh Boone, is based on John Green's novel of the same name and tells the story of two teen cancer patients who meet at a cheesy cancer support group and, as you would expect, fall in love.

Shailene Woodley portrays Hazel Grace Lancaster, a funny, strong-willed and sarcastic 17-year-old living with stage-4 thyroid cancer and who refuses to succumb to the false reality of overcoming a terminal disease.

It isn’t until Hazel locks eyes with the charming Augustus Waters, or Gus, (Ansel Elgort) at the cancer support group that her final chapter becomes one of love and adventure.

As the two begin to grow closer, Hazel’s condition takes a turn for the worse. Their mutual love for movies, literature and metaphors make for a strong foundation of a budding romance.

Reluctant to establish a relationship, it isn’t until Hazel and Gus travel to Amsterdam to decode her favorite novel that she allows herself to fall hopelessly in love.

Woodley’s portrayal of Hazel is spot on, perfectly capturing the thrill of a young girl's first love and the sobering reality of death. Elgort is equally as good, although his playful demeanor sometimes clashes with his character's attempt at dealing with adult issues. However, this doesn't take away from the powerful on-screen connection between the two, which may be due to the pair's acting history as siblings in the film "Divergent."

The film’s only comedic relief stems from the character Isaac (Nat Wolff), a long-time friend of Gus. Like Hazel and Gus, Isaac attends the cancer support group and confides in the group of an upcoming surgery that will leave him blind. Isaac makes light of the situation, joking that "it’s okay" because he has a "hot" girlfriend.

Unlike the bond between Hazel and Gus, Isaac and his attractive counterpart come to an abrupt end, leaving him to look to his friends for support in ways that will leave the audience in an uproar of laughter.

Of course, like many book-to-film releases, there are a few scenes that didn’t make the cut. However, everything that made it from the book to the big screen will be met with much satisfaction.

If you haven't read the book, expect to leave the theater having laughed, cried and with a much heavier heart than when you arrived. And for fans who are familiar with the storyline, you will fall in love with the film the same way you did with the book: "slowly, and then all at once."

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